Cheap flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns from $117

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 25/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
19 Jun — 26 Jun1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or November, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Friday

Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 20 May 2026.

Mon 25/519:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Thu 28/520:30
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 19/5$243
Tue 26/519:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Mon 1/621:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 19/5$244
Tue 26/519:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Fri 29/521:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/5$249
Mon 15/619:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Thu 25/607:00
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 30m
Jetstar
Deal found 17/5$250
Mon 25/519:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Mon 1/621:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 16/5$251
Mon 15/619:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Mon 22/620:10
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Deal found 15/5$253
Wed 21/1006:25
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Multiple Airlines
Sun 25/1023:55
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 25m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 18/5$254
Mon 1/619:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Thu 4/620:00
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 16/5$256
Tue 9/619:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Tue 23/620:10
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Deal found 17/5$257
Tue 16/619:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Sun 28/621:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/5$258
Thu 16/706:25
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Sun 19/721:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/5$260
Mon 24/819:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Fri 28/821:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 19/5$261

Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 20 May 2026.

Round-trip from

$249

One-way from

$117

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$274

Good round-trip deal

$265 or less

Good one-way deal

$129 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 16/6-30/6
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 45m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 25/5
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 9% potential increase in price ($45 potential increase over avg. return price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($11 potential savings vs. average return price).
Average for round-trip flights in May 2026
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Melbourne to Cairns.
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Melbourne to Cairns.

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 20 May 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest return flight
Fastest return journey

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 9/11

19:50-22:10

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Sat 14/11

19:20-23:45

Nonstop3h 25m

$287

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 13/7

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Thu 16/7

07:00-10:30

Nonstop3h 30m

$294

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 1/8

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Sat 8/8

20:10-23:30

Nonstop3h 20m

$309

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 21/6

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Tue 23/6

20:10-23:35

Nonstop3h 25m

$361

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 6/6

21:05-08:30

1 stop11h 25m

Cairns

Fri 26/6

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$378

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 24/7

17:25-20:50

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Tue 28/7

09:40-16:35

1 stop6h 55m

$382

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 6/6

06:00-11:25

1 stop5h 25m

Cairns

Fri 26/6

00:55-04:25

Nonstop3h 30m

$392

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 31/8

06:25-09:50

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Wed 2/9

13:40-17:10

Nonstop3h 30m

$414

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 27/6

14:10-20:10

1 stop6h 00m

Cairns

Fri 3/7

00:55-04:25

Nonstop3h 30m

$419

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 13/7

13:00-18:25

1 stop5h 25m

Cairns

Fri 31/7

21:00-00:30

Nonstop3h 30m

$426

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 19/5

Showing 1-10 of 22 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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2
3

Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns, you should look to book at least 70 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $253). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in July is currently the most expensive (average of $378). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 20 May 2026.

Unlike at midday, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 72% on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns by exploring options for tickets in the evening.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 16 May 2026.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight should consider departing on Wednesday at midday when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

How much does it cost for a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 20 May 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown with Virgin Australia,Qantas Airways, andJetstar from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?

    If you book a flight to Cairns from Melbourne, you will be flying to Cairns, which is the city’s only airport. Cairns (CNS) is located 4.4 km from the centre of Cairns. There are 20 flights from Melbourne to Cairns per day from 3 different airlines.

  • How long is the flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

    Airlines like Jetstar fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in about 3h 20m. The time it takes to get you to your destination is usually consistent. The distance between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is about 2311 km. Most flights are nonstop.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?

    Our cheapest airline available from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $119 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, starting at $150 and $209 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 60% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns one-way?

    $102 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Jetstar. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, with prices starting from $130 and $224, respectively.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

    The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns are Qatar Airways (97%), Air India (97%) and China Southern (94%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

    On average you can expect to pay $516 for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $115 while the most popular route, (Melbourne - Cairns) is currently priced at $236.

  • Where are the most common stopover locations when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

  • What are some popular things to do or see while on a stopover in Brisbane?

    If you're on a stopover in Brisbane and looking for things to do, consider visiting Roma Street Parkland, Cathedral of St Stephen, or Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Roma Street Parkland, Cathedral of St Stephen and Queensland Performing Arts Centre are located about 12.6 km, 12.3 km, and 13.5 km, respectively from Brisbane if you are interested in checking them out. Travellers in need of a car in Brisbane can hire one for about $55 per day.

  • Where are the least popular stopover locations for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights?

  • Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

    Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $253). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in July is currently the most expensive (average of $378). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach

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Fly from Melbourne to Cairns on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 20 May 2026.

Top 3 airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 20 May 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$119Average$289FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$150Average$352FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$209Average$555FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights

Fly with Cheapflights

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How does Cheapflights help users find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to Cairns?

Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.

Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?

Cheapflights does show flights with no change fees to all users. To see these options for flights from Melbourne to Cairns, users can toggle the no change fees filter when performing a flight search.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?

Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on Melbourne to Cairns flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.

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